Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.
Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”
(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
REFLECTION
- In this chapter, Paul continues to encourage the believers to honour all God’s servants – including Paul and respond to their instruction.
- Quarreling over leaders in Corinth was an expression of pride. The faction parties wanted to feel superior, so they claimed to follow the more polished and powerful preacher!
- With rhetoric full of sarcasm and irony Paul contrasted his own way of life with theirs in vv8-13. The Corinthian Christians (in their own eyes) were rich, self-satisfied, wise, strong, honoured. Paul was viewed by them as a poor fool, poverty-stricken, weak, dishonoured.
- However, even the unspiritual Corinthians had to realize that in service to Christ, Paul towered above them all. They even owed their faith to the apostle, who “became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel”. As a father had the right to set the pattern for his son’s way of life, Paul urged his spiritual children to discard their pride, grow out of spiritual infancy, and “imitate me” (v16).
- How would imitating Paul’s way of life (vv. 16-17) require changes in your thinking and actions?
- Thank God for the leaders who have formed and impacted your Christian faith and walk.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read vv10-13 only.)
All of us at one time or another feel we have been wronged by someone else. What makes Christians unique is the response they are told to make. Identify someone who has treated you unfairly. Make plans to do all that is within your power to make peace with that person. Ask God’s help as you go.
Proverbs for Today 17:15-18
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
when he has no sense?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge
and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.